USTRANSCOM chief of staff pins medals on WWII vet 55 years after war
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The event occurred because of efforts by his daughter, Nancy Richter, a secretary in USTRANSCOM's logistics directorate (J4).
Nancy says that one night while watching a television program, there was a story about a Missouri man that was receiving medals long after he earned them in a war years ago. She saw a particular look on her father's face that made her question him about his service.
Her father was in World War II serving as "mostly" a litter bearer with the 161st Medical Corps, 25th Infantry Division, from 1942 to 1945 on Guadalcanal, New Caledonia, the Philippines and New Zealand.
"This was a chapter of Dad's life that was never discussed," Nancy says. "We never knew anything about it. When the war was over, Dad just came back home to New Baden, Ill., and went back to work on his farm to support his wife and seven children. He was just happy to get out at the time."
Nancy wrote a letter to Rep. Jerry Costello, asking for his help. She also gave a copy of the letter to Col. Mark Henderson, assistant deputy of J4, who sent it to the Army's Personnel Command in Alexandria, Va.
When Nancy received information back from the congressman's office and PERSCOM, she contact Pair to see if he could present the medals to her father. She and her siblings made arrangements with the New Baden American Legion to have the ceremony there Oct. 21.
Nancy and her family made a shadow box that contained the U.S. Flag, her father's unit flag, and all of his medals, ribbons and insignia. The ceremony was attended by all his family members, and his friends from the Legion.
Rensing received the Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters, Presidential Unit Citation, the Army Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with six bronze stars, World War II Victory Medal, Philippine Defense Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, and the Army Service Lapel Button.
"I don't remember a lot that happened in the war," Rensing said. "There were many good soldiers out there who did their duty. The world is still not safe today, but let us always remember those who fight to keep us free and safe."
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